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Saturday, April 11, 2009

21.03.09. 72/08 Officer Cadet Course Commissioning Parade.

The parade actually started two hours earlier for us participants. For some, it was when they started putting on the no. 1 uniform, for others it was when they took the rifle out of their rifle cabinets. But for me, it was when we lined up in our contingent level - that was when the butterflies appeared and that is when you know: the moment has arrived.

Throughout our 9 months in OCS, we've had many missions. From Ex. Scorpion King to JCC, we've conquered many knolls and won many battles. But there was one left, and this required never-ending rehearsals, and perfect execution.

And that was the 72/08 Commissioning Parade.

Despite having had so many rehearsals over the entire course of Joint term, we still needed to have rehearsals before the actual parade. Thankfully this was a short one to freshen our minds on the sequence, and our arms need no be tired out too much.

The time passed quick and after a toilet visit and an eagle's roar to build us up to the big moment, we formed up, ready to march onto the parade square...

... if only it was that easy.

The heart only served to pump harder and harder with every step, inching us closer to the parade square. It probably tripled at the very instance the grandstand appeared in our eyes. Before we knew it, we were formed up at our starting positions, ready to move off anytime.

The countdown began, literally so too, and SSM was there to help us in that. HE read out the time left every once in a while, so our anxiety was constantly kept at its peak, as we saw the minutes disappear into thin air. Stomach churning, sweat dripping, arms shaking... 1740... 1741... 1741 and 30 secs...

And then, it came.

"Boom boom boom... check... boom boom boom... check..."

Being tall has its pros and cons, and one of the cons is having to be the marker of the contingent, the point man, the one people take reference from, and the one who keeps getting scolded during parade rehearsals.

But worse of all, you were the first to march onto the parade square, and all eyes are on you.

That's very pressuring. And indeed, it showed. Simply put, everything that you were trying to focus on just could not happen, as your legs trembled and your arms shook and your rifle felt like a million tons. All I could do was to try to keep my composure, and listen out for the drumbeat. Only when we finally touched down did I heave a sigh of relief.

The procession continued, and the movements that had been ingrained over the past two weeks in the back of our minds were swift and deftly executed. I remember looking up into the stands, seeing my family, my friends all beaming at me. It really gave you a sense of fulfillment like no other, and you could feel the 9 months of training and all that sweat and pain reverberating in your heart, because it reminded you of the reason why you did this in the first place - that this was for them, the people you love, and they now became the people you protect.

The floodlights shone ever brighter as the sun continued its descend into the evening sky, and the proceedings entered it final phases. Son the time dawned upon us to begin the slow march out, and the tune of "auld lang syne" echoed in our ears. Indeed, it marked a farewell, a farewell to this journey in which we have always longed for its destination, and a farewel to our story of 9 months of sweat and pain. However, unlike other farewells, this was one coated with a sense of happiness and jubilation, a farewell that simply marked the beginning of another journey, one that was more significant and had a greater purpose to fulfill.

Epaulettes were fixed and photos were taken, capturing a memory for life. As the announcement was made and we placd our peak caps over our hearts, I knew the moment had arrived. The words of WSM rang in my mind and as we tossed the cap into the air, I knew our lives had changed forever, and just like the peak caps, we had transformed "from maggots into butterflies", soaring into the blue night sky...

1:47 AM;

WALKING.

Wong Yew Liang
15 11 1989
Male
Scorpion
Chinese
DLS~SJI~SAJC
Tenpin Bowling

RUNNING.

listening to:
Rascal Flatts
Bless the Broken Road

FLYING.

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